Argos has called for a digital high street revolution as it backs the Great British High Street Competition.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE

Argos calls for digital high street revolution

4 August 2015 | by The Retail Bulletin

The retailer is the latest brand to support the competition which will seek out the best high streets across the country and showcase how effectively they are capitalising on digital to help them thrive.

This year’s £80,000 prize pot also includes specialist digital training by Google for a hundred high street retailers in each of the seven award categories.

Home Retail Group chief executive John Walden said: “We take great pride in our Argos stores being at the centre of hundreds of Britain’s best high streets. That’s why we want to recognise the great work that goes on by people across the country to make their local high street so special.

“But a great high street must also be a great digital high street. We need a revolution across our communities in their understanding and embracing of digital technologies so that they can grasp the exciting opportunities of a digital future.

“The Great British High Street Competition will help high streets learn from one another and I’m delighted to say that Argos stores will be encouraging as many people as possible to get voting and help their town to victory.”

The government supported Digital High Street 2020 Report found that local businesses and independent traders are declining in competitiveness by not keeping up with the digitally savvy modern shopper and availing themselves of digital technologies.

High Streets Minister Marcus Jones said he was pleased that Argos has joined the other retail giants supporting this year’s competition.

Speaking at Argos’s flagship store in Victoria where he saw the Argos ‘Digital Hub’ in operation, Jones said: “Last year’s competition was a massive success, helping to showcase the very best high streets, how they were innovating, and the brilliant local people behind their story. And winning not only put a spring in local people’s step, but it also resulted in a tangible economic impact with retailers reporting increased footfall.

“This year’s Great British High Streets Competition is going to be even bigger and better with a boosted prize pot and expert digital advice to help our winning high streets not only be good physical businesses but digital businesses too.

“That’s why it’s great to see another high street stalwart in Argos get behind the Great British High Street Competition and I hope that with their support we’ll get even more entries this year.”

Argos joins Boots, Costa, Google, Marks & Spencer and the Post Office in supporting the competition, and as a patron has pledged to use in-store promotion to encourage people to vote online.

The first Great British High Street competition last year saw 135 communities taking part with Belper in Derbyshire emerging as the overall winner.